280 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



" The book ! " I cried out ; " where does it teach 

 what you say? I read it often, have read it from my 

 childhood upwards, but I do not know where it tells us 

 what you say." 



" Did not Joshua command the sun to stand still ? 

 If it had not being moving would this have been 

 necessary ? " said my venerable friend, while a well- 

 satisfied smile on his countenance showed that he 

 considered that I had nothing further to say. How- 

 ever, I must make an answer; it would not thus do 

 to be beaten, and a happy thought struck me at the 

 moment. 



" True, it is quite correct what you say ; you are 

 well acquainted with the book. Joshua did command 

 the sun to stand still, but we are not told, which we 

 doubtlessly would have been, that he set it going 

 again." 



The old gentleman pondered and wondered, but said 

 nothing. I interrupted his reverie by shaking his hand 

 and bidding him adieu. 



Among the good qualities these primitive people 

 possess is honesty, for which they are noted far and 

 wide doubtless one of their principal virtues. You may 

 even with safety take their word about the merits of a 

 horse or ox they have for sale. I fear, as a rule, so 

 much cannot be done in similar transactions with our 

 own countrymen. 



I made an effort to buy a horse here : all were for 

 sale if a purchaser would give the price asked, but that 

 was enormous. One bay I picked out with plenty of 

 substance, and that of fair quality, nearly fifteen hands 

 high, and aged, I rode and liked very much, but a 

 hundred and thirty pounds were asked for him, with 



